Former "American Idol" winner Lee DeWyze performs during the Bears-Green Bay Packers game at Soldier Field January 23, 2011.

Former "American Idol" winner Lee DeWyze performs during the Bears-Green Bay Packers game at Soldier Field January 23, 2011. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/ Chicago Tribune)

If you want to party with a celebrity during the winter, New Year’s Eve is likely your best opportunity. That’s when celebs who normally would avoid Chicago during the colder months brave the frigid temperatures to make appearances at the city’s various New Year’s Eve parties.

Last year it was Lil Wayne, T-Pain and Pete Wentz (with then-wife Ashlee Simpson at his side) who hosted New Year’s Eve parties in the area. Here is a look at which celebs will be ringing in 2012 in and around downtown this year:

1. Taylor Armstrong

Enclave is offering guests an opportunity to party with (and like) a celebrity at its “Everyone’s Famous” party. The celebration will be hosted by “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member Taylor Armstrong and will include a red carpet — complete with paparazzi and autograph hounds.

2. Lil Jon

Looking for a New Year’s Eve option outside of downtown? “Get Low” rapper and “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Lil Jon will DJ at the Rosemont Ballroom in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Chuck Bono of VH1’s “Ton of Cash” is also scheduled to DJ.

3. Lee DeWyze and Chris Masterson

“American Idol” winner and Mount Prospect native DeWyze is coming home for the holidays (well, at least New Year’s). DeWyze will appear at “A Starry New Year's Eve” party at the Hard Rock Hotel. “Malcolm in the Middle” actor Chris Masterson will DJ the party — but he’s billed as his alias, Chris Kennedy.

4. Baby Bash and Eva Simons

Playboy’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration will again take place at the Hilton Chicago hotel. But unlike in past years, when Pitbull and T-Pain took the stage, this year’s festivites will feature lesser known acts Baby Bash (“Suga Suga”) and Eva Simons (“Take Over Control”).

5. Kristin Cavallari?

Jay Cutler probably won’t spend New Year’s Eve in Chicago (his Bears face the Minnesota Vikings on the road New Year’s Day), but it looks like his fiancee might. Cavallari, who rang in 2011 with Cutler at Mercadito and Cuvee, recently tweeted, “In chicago for the next 3 weeks. So excited!”